Biography

Carusi’s Saloon, operated by former U.S. Marine Band member Gaetano Carusi and his family, functioned as a popular entertainment venue and music hall in early Washington. Carusi’s hosted several inaugural balls from the administrations of President John Quincy Adams to President James Buchanan. Frances Seward received an invitation to attend a May ball with the ladies of the family at Carusi's Saloon, May 13, 1852. Gaetano had died in 1845, but the saloon remained in business.

Established by an act of Congress on July 11, 1798, the United States Marine Band is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson suggested to the Commandant of the Marine Corps that Italian musicians be enlisted in the Marine Corps and be added to the Marine Band. Captain John Hall was dispatched to southern Italy where American ships were stationed during the war with Tripoli. Captain Hall contacted Gaetano Carusi, a local band leader in Catania, to recruit the musicians.

On September 19, 1805, a group of 14 Italian musicians, with some wives and children aboard a U.S. Navy ship arrived at the U.S. Navy Yard in Washington, DC. Gaetano Carusi, his wife and three sons were among the passengers. The band members were quickly assimilated into the U.S. Marine Band. After his time in the band, Carusi established an entertainment hall in Washington, which was the site of several presidential inaugural balls. Following Gaetano Carusi’s death on June 17, 1843, his funeral was held at Epiphany. This was before the church was built, so the service took place at Apollo Hall, the meeting place of the young congregation or at a private home. Carusi could have become connected to Epiphany through John L. Clubb, the church’s first musician, who was also associated with the Marine Band.

http://epiphanydc.org/2017/06/12/june-17-gaetano-carusi-1843/